Universal Blasts &lsquo;Back to the Future&#39; With Boxed Set Dec. 17

Universal Studios Home Video is sending a blast from the past when it issues a three-disc DVD set of its Back to the Future megafranchise this winter holiday season. The films boast a total combined domestic box office gross of $418 million.

The Back to the Future Trilogy boxed set bows Dec. 17 (prebook Oct. 29) with a minimum advertised price (MAP) of $39.95. The set includes Back to the Future, Back to the Future II and Back to the Future III, with newly remastered audio soundtracks, available in both widescreen and full-frame versions. A VHS boxed set, available in full-frame format, is also available (prebook Nov. 12) for $24.94 MAP.

Special features and extras on the DVD set involve more than 10 hours of material and include exclusive new interviews conducted this year with actor Michael J. Fox, director Robert Zemeckis, screenwriter Bob Gale and producer Neil Canton. New deleted scenes, behind-the-scene footage, a “making-of” featurette, and storyboard to final comparisons. Universal also will employ its “Universal Animated Anecdotes” option in which viewers can watch the film and simultaneously learn trivia about the film and see bloopers. A “Total Axess” DVD-ROM option also offers more content access.

Universal will field an advertising and marketing campaign consisting of TV spots on most major networks, a national consumer print campaign and targeted radio spots along with an online marketing program. Consumer promotions include a sweepstakes with a grand prize trip to Universal Studios Hollywood or in Florida, a $5 rebate with the purchase of the trilogy set and Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas, as well as mail-in offer for a die-cast model of the Back to the Future DeLorean car and other promotions.